[Federal Register: April 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 65)]
[Notices]               
[Page 16743]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap99-85]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 98P-1121]

 
Grated Parmesan Cheese Deviating From Identity Standard; 
Temporary Permit for Market Testing

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a 
temporary permit has been issued to Kraft Foods, Inc., to market test a 
product designated as ``100% Grated Parmesan Cheese'' that deviates 
from the U.S. standards of identity for parmesan cheese and grated 
cheeses. The purpose of the temporary permit is to allow the applicant 
to measure consumer acceptance of the product, identify mass production 
problems, and assess commercial feasibility, in support of a petition 
to amend the standard of identity for parmesan cheese.

DATES: This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date 
the food is introduced or caused to be introduced into interstate 
commerce, but not later than July 6, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loretta A. Carey, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-158), Food and Drug Administration, 
200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, 202-205-5099.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 21 CFR 130.17 concerning 
temporary permits to facilitate market testing of foods deviating from 
the requirements of the standards of identity promulgated under section 
401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 341), FDA is 
giving notice that a temporary permit has been issued to Kraft Foods, 
Inc., Three Lakes Dr., Northfield, IL 60093.
    The permit covers 86 million pounds of interstate marketing tests 
products identified as ``grated parmesan cheese'' that deviate from the 
U.S. standard of identity for parmesan cheese (21 CFR 133.165) and 
grated cheeses (21 CFR 133.146) in that the product is formulated by 
using a different enzyme technology that fully cures the cheese in 6 
months rather than 10 months. The test product meets all the 
requirements of the standards with the exception of this deviation. 
Because test preferences vary by area, along with social and 
environmental differences, the purpose of this permit is to test the 
product throughout the United States.
    Under this temporary permit, the parmesan cheese will be test 
marketed as grated parmesan cheese. The test product will bear the name 
``100% Grated Parmesan Cheese.''
    This permit provides for the temporary marketing of 86 million 
pounds of grated parmesan cheese in retail containers of various sizes. 
The test product will be manufactured at Kraft Foods, Inc., 10800 
Avenue 184, Tulare, CA 93274. The product will then be shipped to Kraft 
Foods Inc., 1007 Town Line Rd., Wausau, WI 54401, where it is aged, 
grated, and packaged for distribution. The product will be distributed 
throughout the United States.
    The information panel of the labels will bear nutrition labeling in 
accordance with 21 CFR 101.9. Each of the ingredients used in the food 
must be declared on the labels as required by the applicable sections 
of 21 CFR part 101.
    This permit is effective for 15 months, beginning on the date the 
food is introduced or caused to be introduced into interstate commerce, 
but not later than July 6, 1999.

    Dated: March 29, 1999.
Kenneth J. Falci,
Acting Director, Office of Food Labeling, Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition.
[FR Doc. 99-8440 Filed 4-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F